USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1871 > Part 5
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in this study quite come up to our expectations. The class in Greek at the North, is laying a good foundation for future work. The classes in Geology and Philosophy, with some of the classes in the common branches, passed a poor examination at the South.
We believe another year will witness an improvement in the qualifi- cations of the entering classes in these schools. With Grammar schools, under efficient teachers, we may hope to see the standard of admittance to our High schools raised, and fewer scholars admitted who cannot appreciate or derive advantage from our High school course.
JOHN W. LOUD, CHARLES Q. TIRRELL.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
There are fourteen schools of this grade, which give instruction to six-hundred pupils, having an average age of ten years. Although there are features which all these schools present in a degree suffi- cient to entitle them to the designation of " Intermediate," yet on in- spection of them, and comparison of one with another, your Commit- tee find that it will be difficult to exhibit a faithful report of their condition without grouping them under subdivisions, cach subdivis- ion including schools which resemble each other in many essential points. These subdivisions will, for convenience, be designated as Mixed Primary and Intermediate, Lower Intermediate, Upper Inter- mediate, and Pure Intermediate.
MIXED PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
These schools are an anomaly, and excrescence on our present sys- tem of graded schools. They are a relic of the "district system," but up to the present time have been considered to be a necessity. With the exception of the Union-street school, which has fifty-six pupils, these schools are small, the Randolph-street school number- ing only twenty-six.
Your Committee believe that the time has arrived when this class of schools should be gradually abandoned, and give place to the im- proved method of grading, which is alone practicable under the " town system." It is hoped that the recommendation of the Committee, - which is embodied in the chairman's report, - to establish a Pri- mary school and an Intermediate school on Pond street which shall
73
not only take the place of the " mixed " schools on Pond and Ran- dolph streets, but also relieve the over-crowded schools in Central street, will meet with the favor of the town. By this plan, the num- ber of schools will not be increased, while better facilities for educa- tion will be afforded.
In the Union-street and Pond-street schools a change of teachers occurred at the commencement of the first term of the new school- year. In Union street, Miss Emma L. White gave place to Miss Clara J. Reed. Miss White has taught this school three years, and always to the acceptance of both school committee and parents. Her successor entered upon her untried duties with a confidence and zeal which betokened success. This auspicious beginning has fortu- nately not disappointed us. There is no evidence that the school has suffered from the change.
In Pond street, Miss Maria Nolan, a recent graduate of the High school, succeeded Miss Emma J. White, who has had uninterrupted charge of this school for more than five years. The long service of Miss White, as a teacher in this locality, is the best proof of the esti- mation in which she has been held by the Committee. Miss Nolan, on taking charge of the school, had many obstacles to overcome, which were not entirely surmounted during the first term. But a percep- tible improvement in the management of the school was manifest before its close.
The deportment of our mixed Intermediates has not been uniform. As a rule, which may in all cases be relied upon, where the best order and discipline prevails, there is found the best school. The Union- street school may be favorably mentioned in this respect. In Ran- dolph street, on account of the small size of the school, the disci- pline may not have been so strict as is usually required. But although mild, it is believed to have been in the main efficient. In Pond street, from circumstances perhaps not wholly avoidable, the deportment, particularly during the last term, has not been satisfactory. A more strict discipline, however, which was enforced toward the close of the term, produced a marked improvement in the conduct of the school.
In Reading, the number of classes has been necessarily large, includ- ing classes in the Primer, the first, second, third and fourth Readers. All of these classes have recited at least once a day, and some of them - the lower ones - twice. They have also attended to spelling and defining the words at the head of the reading lessons. Attention to accents and pauses has been insisted upon.
The spelling of words from the Speller, in addition to the spelling
74
and defining exercise from the readers, is also required of all except the primary scholars. This has been. attended to once a day. The best recitation in spelling was listened to in the Randolph-street school.
Classes in Primary, Intellectual and Written Arithmetic, are formed in all these schools. The number of pupils excluded from the study of Arithmetic, on account of their youth, is nearly a third of the whole number. Notwithstanding this fact, the number of classes in this study averages six to a school. The study. of Arithmetic is always regarded as the most important of any which is pursued in our schools, and teachers are especially urged to be exact and critical in their instruction in this branch. Good recitations were listened to by the Committee in the Union street and Randolph-street schools.
Both the Primary and Intermediate text-books in Geography, are used in the schools of mixed grade. Although usually, during the visits of the Committee, the recitations have been prompt, yet at the examination of all these schools there was evinced a want of tho- roughness.
Of the one hundred and twenty pupils who attend these schools, sixty-six only are sufficiently advanced in their age and acquirements to attend to writing. This exercise, except in one of the schools, is attended to twice a week, and in all of them about an hour's time is devoted to it weekly.
LOWER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
There are three schools in the town which belong to this subdivision. They co-exist with the upper Intermediates in those thickly-settled localities where children of nearly an equal age or classification are sufficiently numerous to fill two Intermediate schools. There is but a sub-grade difference between these two classes of Intermediates ; the lower division receiving pupils from the Primary schools, and, in their turn, furnishing pupils to the upper department. The age of pupils in the lower Intermediate schools averages higher than that of the mixed Intermediates, there being no primary scholars. A peculiarity of these schools is their superior classification. In this respect, they present a striking contrast to the mixed schools, and the contrast is vastly in favor of the graded plan. The school in High street has only been established on this new basis since the beginning of the new school year, and on that account does not at present rank quite as high in its studies as the Mt. Pleasant or Central-street schools. We expect another year will witness an improvement in this particular. There are too many classes in this school.
75
Good order and discipline have been generally maintained in all the schools, and they give evidence of having been well taught. The Cen- tral-street school of this grade is too large for the attainment of the best results, there being sixty names on the register.
In Reading, the Third and Fourth Readers are used, and much at- tention is paid to this important branch of education. The classes are well drilled in accentuation, and generally heed the pauses, which tlicy can readily define. Spelling and defining the words connected with the reading-lessons was practised in all except the Mount Pleas- ant school. The Committee suggest that there be a uniformity in this, and as far as possible, in all respects, in schools of the same rank. One good result arising from the new method of examining schools, adopted this year, has been to ascertain wherein schools occupying the same level, differ from each other in the requirements of their pupils, and to demand of our teachers an equal amount of work and of the same kind.
Spelling from the Speller is also taught in these schools, recita- tions being held daily. Good progress in Intellectual Arithmetic has been made in most of the schools of this division, but this was par- ticularly evident in the Mt. Pleasant school. Here also was a fine class in written Arithmetic, which did itself much credit in cyphering.
In the Central-strect school, on account of the large number of pupils, written Arithmetic has not been taken up. A class will be formed at the beginning of the second term. In the High-street school there is a class in primary Arithmetic. It is expected that this elementary branch of mathematics will, in the future, be confined to the Primary school.
In Geography, we did not hear a perfect recitation in either of the schools, although at the monthly visits good recitations prevailed. The Central-street school did itself the most credit in this study.
Of one hundred and forty-four pupils who attend the three lower Intermediate schools, one hundred and thirty receive elementary instruction in Writing.
UPPER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
These, like the lower Intermediates, are three in number, and are situated on Mt. Pleasant, High street, and Central street. They contain one hundred and thirty-four pupils ; the Mt. Pleasant school being the smallest, and the Central-street school the largest. These are the best classified of any of the Intermediate schools, there
.
76
being in neither more than two classes in any one branch of study ; as a consequence, good results were expected at the final examina- tion.
Excellent deportment has everywhere prevailed. Special commen- dation should be accorded to the High-street school for excellence in reading. Indeed, all the recitations in this school were of the high- est order. On account of the reorganization of the schools in Ward Two, this school has only held its present grade since August. The examination, therefore, only covered ground which had been passed over during the past term. The other schools were examined on the studies of the whole year. This explanation, while it will not detract from the high standing of this school, is considered to be due to the teachers of the other two schools. In the Mt. Pleasant school, as in the lower Intermediate in the same locality, no atten- tion has been paid to defining the spelling words in the readers, except as the teacher has selected words, and required her pupils to give definitions in their own language.
In Intellectual Arithmetic, remarkably good results were shown in all the schools.
In both Intellectual and Written Arithmetic, the classes in the Cen- tral-street school were the most advanced. In the Mt. Pleasant school, the classes in written Arithmetic recited with fluency questions from the book, but did not show so much proficiency in the operations upon the blackboard.
The study of Grammar is practically commenced in these schools, although some oral instruction in the elements has been given by the teacher of the lower Intermediate on Mt. Pleasant. This is a difficult study for young pupils, and it may well be doubted whether any more than the simplest elementary instruction should be attempted in our Intermediate schools.
All the pupils of the upper Intermediate schools engage in writing, at least half an hour twice a week.
PURE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
The schools belonging to this subdivision are the Athens, Perkins, Middle street, Pleasant street, and Main street. As their name im- plies, they may be considered as a combination of the lower and upper Intermediates, which they represent, both in respect to the studies which are taught, and the progress which is made in them. These schools present a remarkable uniformity in the number and age of their pupils ; the average number to a school being forty, and the aver-
77
age age of all the scholars being 10.29, which is higher than that of any other group of the Intermediates.
The only change of teachers which has occurred during the year, has been in the Middle-street school, where near the close of the fall term, Miss M. J. Stubbs was succeeded by Miss Williams.
It is believed that efficient government has been maintained in all these schools, except the Middle street. Here, it is very evident, the discipline has not been sufficient to secure satisfactory results. At the final examination, the classes showed a want of thoroughness, the recitations being generally imperfect, although there were indivi- dual pupils who acquitted themselves well. The new teacher having had charge of the school less than three weeks, was not held responsi- ble for its condition.
It gives us pleasure to speak in terms of the highest commendation of the Athens and the Main street schools. In both of them, the ex- ercises throughout were as nearly perfect as we can expect to find in any school. In fact, with one or two exceptions, the highest mark was given for each recitation, on examination day. If we should ven- ture to particularize, where all is good, we should say that the classes in reading did themselves special credit. We take the liberty to state, that in the opinion of the examining Committee, these two schools, and the upper Intermediate in High street, were the banner schools of the Intermediate grade. In making this statement, we are well aware that there are circumstances beyond the control of teachers, which may prevent the attainment in all cases of equally satisfactory re- sults.
We feel, however, compelled to notice, that in the Athens school attention has not been given to spelling and defining the words of the reading lessons, - a practice which has prevailed in most of our Inter- mediate schools, and which is expected in all. In the Perkins school, on the other hand, there has been no spelling exercise from the spel- ler. We also observed in both the Athens and Perkins schools the entire absence of the study of Grammar. In the latter school, on ac- count of the large number of classes, this omission may be deemed excusable. We understand that the teachers in both schools have con- solidated these classes, and have now introduced elementary instruc- tion in Grammar.
The Pleasant-street school labors under disadvantages in having a large number of classes - there being no less than twenty - and also in the low attainments of its pupils - there being several classes in the school which properly belonged to the Primary.
78
This condition of the school cannot be accounted for on the ground of the low age of the pupils, for the average age of the school com- pares well with that of the other schools of its class. Nor can it be wholly accounted for by the size of the school, for it is not large. We are inclined to attribute this low standard of scholarship chiefly to the change in the organization of the schools of the second ward, which has been alluded to abo ve.
We feel confident that this is a good working school, - the teacher being faithful and efficient in the discharge of her duties. We shall expect better results at the close of another year. The final exami- nation exhibited commendable progress in the studies of the school, notwithstanding the adverse circumstances just alluded to.
Taking in review our Intermediate schools as a whole, we believe good substantial progress has been made in the branches of study assigned to them. We must always bear in mind, that more real brain-work can be accomplished by a pupil of fifteen or sixteen in one year than is ordinarily done by a child during the first five years of his pupilage. We should further consider, that the cramming of the brain of our young children is not to be desired, lest while we strive to develop the intellect, the healthy exercise of the body is neglected, and we rear instead of a race of mental giants a race of physical dwarfs.
Your Committee on Intermediate schools cannot close their report without calling the attention of the citizens of the town to the urgent need of outline maps in our schools. Our teachers demand them, and the best educators of the age declare that the study of Geography cannot possibly be so well taught without the aid of these outline maps as with them. The School Committee entertaining this view, have caused an article to be inserted in the warrant for the an- nual town-meeting, to provide all our schools with these useful helps in teaching.
C. C. TOWER,
EVERETT C. BUMPUS.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The Primary department of our schools during the past year shows a commendable amount of progress, and that the teachers have gen- erally been competent and faithful in imparting instruction to those placed under their charge. It is worthy of inquiry, whether sufficient importance is attached to the Primary department in our schools.
Special attention should be given to the selection of teachers, who are fond of children, and who will make good impressions upon the
79
young minds under their charge. "Just as the twig is bent the tree is inclined," and no one, with perhaps the exception of the parent, has so much influence in keeping the twig straight, of giving the right direction to the minds of children, as the school teacher. It is in this department that good or bad habits in reading and deportinent are formed ; and it is a mistaken idea that " anybody will answer to teach a primary school "; on the contrary, the very best teachers should be employed and liberally compensated.
In no period of life does the child need more skilful training than during the days spent in the Primary school. Too much of the time is occupied by the teacher in hearing the routine of lessons from the book, as prescribed from day to day. The idea of young scholars benefiting or interesting themselves by studying books only before they can read fluently or understandingly, is absurd. No pleasure is mingled with the weary task, and many are frequently disgusted with books and tired of school. They must have exercises which will serve as recreation and relief to body and mind, in some of which the whole school may engage, such as singing, manual exercises, etc. Nothing will excite more interest and enthusiasm in the young, than object- teaching, and nothing is more neglected. To this end, all teachers should be acquainted with the rudiments of Physiology, Zoology and Botany, so that they can instruct children in the uses and habits of familiar objects, for of these they are fond ; and as the book of nature is ever open, and new objects are ever claiming their attention, in- struction and encouragement from the teacher will stimulate habits of observation, inquiry and future research, and be of incalculable men- tal and moral advantage to our youngest pupils.
WARD I.
This school has not come up to the standard required by the Committee, during the past year. The order has not been as good, compared with other schools of the same grade.
At the examination, there was too much turning and moving in the seats, noise with the feet, and carelessness in recitation.
WARD II.
The Primary schools in this ward have, during the past year, without an exception, made a commendable amount of progress. There has been a large amount of absence occasioned by an epi- demic of whooping-cough -diminishing the number, in several of the schools, from one-third to one-half.
80
WARD III.
The Primary schools in this ward are in a successful and healthy condition, and one of them may be properly denominated the " Model Primary School." The Committee, at the examinations, noticed the . omission of the definitions connected with the spelling lesson, in contrast with the other schools in the town.
WARD IV.
The Primary schools in this ward are under the same teachers as last year, and maintain the excellent standing which they have held for the past two years.
WARD V.
The Primary school in this ward is in charge of the same teacher, under whose charge it has been for the past three years, and takes rank with our best Primary schools.
GEO W. FAY, ABNER HOLBROOK.
The Committee do not hold themselves individually responsible for each and all the sentiments or recommendations of this report.
JOHN W. LOUD,
C. C. TOWER,
GEO. W. FAY, C. Q. TIRRELL,
A. HOLBROOK, E. C. BUMPUS.
STATISTICAL TABLE.
Wages per month.
Length of sch'l in mos.
Whole No. of scholars.
Average Attendance.
Under 5 yrs. Over 5 years.
SCHOOLS.
Names of Teachers.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
North High School
George W. Shaw
$120 00
$120 00
4
6
59
54
30
M. A. Smith, Assistant
50 00
50 00
4
6
56
48
40
South High School
F. B. Gamwell . .
120 00
120 00
4
6
'43
36
38
33
Broad Street Grammar
J. W. Armington
90 00
90 00
4
6
70
67
69×
59×
13
7
Mary E. Flint, Assistant
34 00
34 00
4
6
East Weymouth Grammar
J. F. Baxter .
90 00
90 00
4
.6
64
49
57
46×
13
Central Street Grammar
Lucius Brown
85 00
· . . ·
·
·
·
· ·
·
·
48
41×
34×
5
4
Athens Grammar
Geo. A. Littlefield John F. Cook
· 85 00
85 00
4
·
.
·
42
60
37X
57X
Adams Grammar .
Eliza French .
40 00
40 00
4
6
49
43×
Middle Street (mixed) Grammar .
. L. L. Howe
40 00
6
· ·
·
·
·
·
High Street Intermediate .
·
A. M. Addlington
34 00
34 00
4
6
43
43
35×
36
Perkins Intermediate .
·
A. C. Orcutt .
34 00
34 00
4
6
24
29
21×
25X
Main Street Intermediate .
E. L. White
34 00
34 00
4
6
50
48
45 X
33
Pond Street Intermediate .
E. J. White
34 00
34 00
4
6
38
34
31X
27
Central Street (upper) Intermediate . A. R. Rogers
34 00
34 00
4
6
56
49
51×
45×
Central Street Intermediate .
M. A. Merrill
34 00
34 00
4
6
59
66
55 X
62
North Weymouth Intermediate . .
Lizzie C. Pratt .
34 00
34 00
4
6
38
31
26
Commercial Street Intermediate .
E. J. Fay ·
30 00
30 00
4
23
52
41
45X
34
·
·
·
4
Pleasant Street Intermediate High Street Primary
M. C. French .
30 00
30 00
4
6
65
72
48X
58
Pratt Primary .
·
A. L. White .
30 00
30 00
4
6
42
41
30
55
·
. .
32 52
Athens Primary .
IM. F. Burrell
.
.
.
·
6
· .
.
·
.
.
·
.
.
· ·
90 00
4
6
6
45
41×
·
2
Main Street Grammar .
Mr. C. W. Fearing
·
·
48 00
·
·
·
· 4
· ·
48
· 60
43
50
Mount Pleasant Intermediate
·
A. M. Richards
34 00
34 00
4
6
48
51
37
40×
Randolph Street Intermediate .
·
·
·
·
·
· ·
4
2A
41
42
34 . 35×
37
E. A. Bosworth
34 00
·
.
6
51
47
38X
42
·
E. G. Parrott
34 00
34 00
4
6
· 51
45×
3
Broad Street (female) Grammar
A. A. R. Hayes
40 00
40 00
4
·
4
6
59
·
·
· 50
40
M. J. Stubbs
40 00
.
34 00
4
6
57
48
· ·
36
58
·
Pratt Grammar .
H. F. Williams . H. J. Clark .
90 00
85 00
4
· 42
· 34×
·
·
·
·
50
46
·
·
·
S.A. Blanchard, Assistant,
12 00
12 00
1
·
·
41
M. W. Seymour
34 00
64
· 40
·
·
·
1
Miss S. Lee Vining
85 00
6
4
5
8
·
82
6
1
.
49×
Mount Pleasant (upper) Intermediate, H. E. Miller
34 00
.
.
30 00
· 28
.
27
JA. F. Lincoln
30 00
4
55
45
·
60×
Central Street Primary .
L. L. Whitman
30 00
4
6
54
71
48
C. E. Spinstead
30 00
30 00
4
6
49
51
40
41
Main Street Primary
·
L. F. Cushing
30 00
30 00
4
6
56
53
46
48×
Mount Pleasant Primary
A. M. Baker .
30 00
30 00
6
49
40
43
36
Mount Pleasant Primary
Lizzie Foye
30 00
30 00
4
6
58
59
49X
51×
Grant Street Primary . .
L. Totman .
30 00
30 00
4
6
53
56
43
47
Pleasant Street Primary
L. M. Hodgdon
30 00
30 00
4
6
57
50
43
41
Perkins Primary ·
A. A. Smith .
30 00
30 00
4
6
50
42
39
33
Middle Street Primary
S. S. Thomas
30 00
4
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
41
3
5
This Statistical Table includes the school year, from August, 1870, to August, 1871.
34×
·
·
·
·
·
·
30 00
6
42
D. L. Benson
·
. 30 00
.
. .
.
·
·
244
Washington Street Primary
57
83
182
For
6.500
1.
officers
4,000
Leit Interes 10,000
"
Kirillances Des count 2,500 11 Preparing descheda 1,5.00
/1
Miscellaneous
2500
+62,110
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